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I want to get an allotment, but I don't want to have to build a shed to store my tools on site. I have thought about buying a trailer for my bike to take my tools on. I don't have a car. Apart from a trailer, does anyone have any ideas to overcome this problem of lugging large tools to an allotment. I have thought about getting a bag to carry them in (it would have to be a long bag to carry a spade and fork, and perhaps a hoe, but there doesn't seem to be any such bags around. A golf bag might be ideal with a trolley, but I don't play golf and they appear to have divisions inside the bag so that would be no good. Any ideas?

You could try tying them to the cross bar - I did that once with a broom, and looked like I was riding home on a broom stick - the closest I've ever come to being a witch

Might be a problem if there are too many tools, though.

maybe you could bury them in a plastic bag in the compost heap?

PeteF wrote:I want to get an allotment, but I don't want to have to build a shed to store my tools on site. I have thought about buying a trailer for my bike to take my tools on. I don't have a car. Apart from a trailer, does anyone have any ideas to overcome this problem of lugging large tools to an allotment. I have thought about getting a bag to carry them in (it would have to be a long bag to carry a spade and fork, and perhaps a hoe, but there doesn't seem to be any such bags around. A golf bag might be ideal with a trolley, but I don't play golf and they appear to have divisions inside the bag so that would be no good. Any ideas?

I found this tool shed on eBay for £59.99 delivery £14.99
Item number: 130200698633 Looks ideal. Get it delivered to site, just make sure your there on the day.

You will probably find that your local freecycle group will have a shed, greenhouse, and even tools that you can have. All you have to do is collect them.

Go to www.freecycle.org to find your local site.

Alternatively, you could talk to an allotment neighbour who will probably let you slip your fork or spade under their shed or in their greenhouse. In my experience, they are, for the most part, good natured folk, and allowing you to stow a couple of tools is hardly a hardship.

Running a community allotment, I have found that inconvenience and struggle can break the most determined of good intentions. Having your tools on the site is really important. Your allotment time shuld be a pleasure and not a chore.

Make it easy on yourself! Let us know how you get on.

TBH, I just leave my tools on the plot. Until recently they didn't allow us sheds (and I have yet to get round to putting one up there). I tend only to use cheap tools up there anyway, and the only thing I've had nicked was a pair of shears. That said, I wouldn't keep anything expensive up there, sad as it is to say there are some plot holders with light fingers.

Thanks for all your tips. I shall certainly bear in mind the tip about shed-sharing. Not so sure about the idea of chaining my spade and fork to my crossbar, though!

PeteF.

PeteF wrote: Not so sure about the idea of chaining my spade and fork to my crossbar, though!

just make sure the tines don't point upwards - in case you have to get off in a hurry...

I hide my tools behind the compostheap/ in the purple sprouting / under a few untidy pallets. If you put them in a shed they seem to be more liley to get pinched!

How about a subterranean shed? I saw one on The Allotment DVD (I bought it last year but was very disappointed cos it never played properly. Apparently it was because I was playing in on my putta and not on a 'proper' DVD player....)

The underground shed was more like a coffin with a lid which lifted off to reveal tool etc. Lined with polythene or they kept tools in fertiliser bags to keep them reasonable dry. Pull a nice piece of carpet over the lid and nobody knows it's there

Storing tools outside/oiling tools.

Cheap engine oil or similar thinned down with paraffin. Apply using old household spray gun. Rusty tools make hard work! Wipe off before use.

justskint wrote:Storing tools outside/oiling tools.

Cheap engine oil or similar thinned down with paraffin. Apply using old household spray gun. Rusty tools make hard work! Wipe off before use.

Geoff Hamilton (giving away my age!) use a bucket full of sand with some engine oil poured in. He would then push his tools in and out of the bucket a few times to clean before putting them away.